First, for
those who are uninitiated, let us go over an introduction as to what Wayang
Kulit really is. Or you can find more info in the Web:
Introduction To Wayang Kulit
The Wayang Kulit is a traditional theatre form that brings
together the playfulness of a puppet show, and the elusive quality and charming
simplicity of a shadow play.
Its origin remains a mystery, though it appears to have a strong
Javanese and Hindu influence. Today, it is spread out, in various forms and
guises, across Asia -- from Turkey and China to Indonesia and of course,
Malaysia.
Wayang Kulit is most popular in the East Coast of Peninsular
Malaysia, particularly in Kelantan, the heartland of Wayang Kulit, where it
took root more than 250 years ago. Today, however, urbanisation and modern
entertainment have led to a decline in its popularity.
There used to be four main varieties of the form in this
country: the Wayang Kulit Siam of Kelantan; the Wayang Gedek, performed by the
Thai communities of Kedah and Perlis; the Wayang Kulit Jawa, performed by the
Javanese communities in Selangor and Johor; and the Wayang Kulit Melayu,
performed by the Javanese communities of Terengganu. Today, only the first two
are performed.
All of the varieties of this unique theatre form employ the
principle of light and shadow to bring to life its characters, depicted by
intricately carved puppets. The flat two-dimensional puppets are carved out of
cow or buffalo hide, then they are painted, all by hand.
Each puppet, a stylised exaggeration of the human shape, is
given a distinctive appearance and not unlike its string puppet cousins, has
jointed “arms”. There may be as many as 40 puppet characters, all with
different traits and mannerisms, in a performance.
The master puppeteer and storyteller known as the Tok Dalang
is responsible for breathing life into this array of characters.
During a typical performance, which can last several few
hours, the Tok Dalang sits behind a semi-transparent white cloth which acts as
a screen. The puppet figures are silhouetted onto the screen with an oil
lamp/light bulb as the light source.
The stories of the wayang kulit are traditionally based on
the Hindu epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Usually, the Tok Dalang
begins by introducing the main characters; first the puppet storyteller,
followed by Maharaja Wana (Rawana), Sri Rama (Rama), Siti Dewa (Sita), the
Laksamana and the court jesters, Pak Dogol and Wak Long.
.
The shadow play is invariably accompanied by a gamelan
orchestra, one that consists of about 10 to 30 musicians.
Traditionally, the Wayang Kulit is staged during religious
festivals and important occasions, such as weddings, births and circumcision.
Primarily, it was taken as an entertainment medium. However, it also served to
impart moral values, as well as to pass down folklore and historical tales.
Like many other art forms in Malaysia, it was believed to
have strong ties to the spirit world. It used to be customary to make food
offerings to the spirits during and after a performance, but this practice is
now frowned upon. Anyway, let us explore the ritual proper below.
The Siamese Wayang
Kulit Ritual Proper
Below is
the ritual as I still can remember it:
1.
Food
offerings such as roast chicken, satay, banana, betel leaves, fruits, flowers,
eggs, rice, sweets, coconuts, drinks etc. must be prepared beforehand.
2.
Also
prepare some earth wares for containing portion of foods for the spirits.
3.
We
also need some mats, one for each of the Wayang Kulit puppets.
4.
On
a darker side of the ritual, some white chicken blood and black chicken blood
is added to make the Wayang Kulit puppets “angry” or fierce.
5.
Now,
gather four handful of earth while reciting mantra for gathering earth. The earth
is wrapped with a cloth and put in the center of the Wayang Kulit stage.
6.
The
mats are laid in front of the Wayang Kulit stage and an earth ware containing
food staffs are put on the mat, together with one white candle and black
incense.
7.
Draw
a talisman or “tangkai” and inscribe your date of birth on it then hang it over
the entrance of your house.
8.
Draw
another “tangkai” and put it into an earth ware then cover the mouth of the
earth ware with another “tangkai”.
9.
All
the ritual stuffs and food offerings are set accordingly.
10.
The
mater of ceremony must bath with flower of seven colors before the mantra
recitation can begin.
11.
When
everything is ready, the master recites a conjuration to invite the spirits to
come and enjoy the food offerings. This must be done for three rounds.
12.
After
the completion of the food offering ritual, all food stuffs and the pot
containing “tangkai” is buried into a place that is thought to be haunted or
under a big tree. This location is marked as you will need to revisit the place
on the full moon night to continue the offering and praying.
13.
The
Wayang Kulit puppets and the bundle of earth are then worshipped under the
house’s main altar.
14.
As
it was pointed above, this ritual was customary performed before and after a
Wayang Kulit show or some practitioner also make it an annual event to bless
their houses. I had a friend who still keeps this tradition when I last met him
quite many years ago.
As before,
the “tangkai” and “jampi” (incantation) were not included as I am still
struggling to make sense of them. Once I have gone through with the ritual, I
may publish them for your reading pleasure. J
No comments:
Post a Comment